Sensing Socket Assembly

1. A power distribution apparatus comprising: a master electrical outlet configured for coupling to a master device; at least one slave electrical outlet, the master electrical outlet being electrically independent to the at least one slave electrical outlet; and a power circuit to supply electrical power to the master electrical outlet and to the at least one slave electrical outlet comprising a sensing component operable to sense a master device power consumption level drawn from the master electrical outlet when the master device is coupled to the master electrical outlet, a switching component operable to selective supply electrical power or interrupt electrical power to the at least one slave electrical output in response to a switch command input, and a controller coupled to the sensing component and the switching component and being operable to generate the switch command input to supply or interrupt electrical power to the at least one slave electrical outlet by: (i) deriving an operating state power consumption level for the master device comprising the master device power consumption level sensed by the sensing component after a set time delay from when the master device is placed in an operating state, (ii) comparing the operating state power consumption level to an initial pre-set power threshold, (iii) if the operating state power consumption level exceeds the initial pre-set power threshold, adjusting the initial pre-set power threshold to an operating state power threshold comprising a predetermined percentage of the operating state power consumption level, and (iv) generating the switch command input in response to detection by the sensing component of a prescribed change in the master device power consumption level relative to the operating state power threshold.

2. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the operating state threshold is non-zero.

3. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the pre-determined percentage is from about 30% to about 70%.

4. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the controller is adapted to return the operating state power threshold to the initial pre-set threshold in response to a pre-determined event.

5. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the pre-determined event comprises at least one of: (i) an interruption in the supply of electrical power to the power circuit; and/or (ii) disconnection of a master device from the master electrical outlet; and/or (iii) the fall to zero of the master device power consumption level.

6. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pre-determined percentage is from about 30% to about 70%.

7. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the controller is adapted to return the operating state power threshold to the initial pre-set threshold in response to a pre-determined event.

8. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the pre-determined event comprises at least one of: (i) an interruption in the supply of electrical power to the power circuit; and/or (ii) disconnection of a master device from the master electrical outlet; and/or (iii) the fall to zero of the master device power consumption level.

9. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller is adapted to return the operating state power threshold to the initial pre-set threshold in response to a pre-determined event.

10. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the pre-determined event comprises at least one of: (i) an interruption in the supply of electrical power to the power circuit; and/or (ii) disconnection of a master device from the master electrical outlet; and/or (iii) the fall to zero of the master device power consumption level.

11. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the switching component is selectively operable in a first state in response to the switch command input providing electrical connectivity between the power circuit and the at least one slave electrical outlet.

12. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the switching component is selectively operable in a second state in response to the switch command input to interrupt electrical connectivity between the power circuit and the at least one slave electrical outlet in response to a fall in the master device power consumption level below the operating state power threshold.

13. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the switching component is operable in the first state in response to the switch command input in response to a rise in the master device power consumption level above the operating state power threshold.

14. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the power circuit includes an electrical load-bearing element coupled to the master electrical outlet.

15. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the sensing component is electrically connected across the load-bearing element, so as to measure electrical potential across the element.

16. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the master electrical outlet and the at least one slave electrical outlet supply mains power.

17. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the switching component comprises a bi-directional gate controlled thyristor.

18. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the switching component comprises a relay.

19. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises electrical power rectification means capable of converting an alternating electrical power supply into an internal DC supply.

20. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a component to prevent the controller being damaged by transient high voltages in the power circuit.

21. A power distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a component to visually indicate supply of electrical power to the master electrical outlet and/or the at least one slave electrical outlet.

22. A method comprising: supplying electrical power to a master electrical outlet and at least one slave electrical outlet; sensing an operating state power consumption level drawn from the master electrical outlet when a master device is coupled to the master electrical outlet and has been in an operating state for a predetermined period of time; establishing an operating power threshold by determining whether the operating state power consumption level exceeds a pre-set initial value and, if so, establishing a predetermined percentage of the operating state power consumption level as an established operating state power threshold; and supplying or interrupting electrical power to the at least one slave electrical outlet in response to comparison of subsequent changes in power consumption drawn from the master electrical outlet to the established operating state power threshold.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the pre-determined percentage is from about 30% to about 70%.

24. A method as claimed in claim 22 further including returning the established operating state power threshold to the operating state power threshold to the preset initial value in response to a pre-determined event.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the pre-determined event comprises at least one of: (i) an interruption in supply of electrical power; and/or (ii) disconnection of a master device from the master electrical outlet; and/or (iii) the fall to zero of the master device power consumption level.

26. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the electrical power is interrupted to the at least one slave electrical outlet in response to a fall in power consumption drawn from the master electrical outlet below the established operating state power threshold.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the electrical power is supplied to the at least one slave electrical outlet in response to a rise in power consumption drawn from the master electrical outlet above the established operating state power threshold.

28. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the electrical power is supplied to the at least one slave electrical outlet when power consumption drawn from the master electrical outlet is at or above the established operating state power threshold.